Speculation: Roster Building Thread: Part XX (WTF are we going to do this Off-Season edition)

[NYRFANMANI]

The only possible downside is that if he had a hypothetical bounce back year to 35 plus goals he’d be worth a ton more in a trade, but to be honest that’s probably not worth the gamble, especially with young wingers that need minutes.

You make this part of the negotiations obviously.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I agree about the 3rd line scenario so to me Zibanejad should stay at C and as I said find a winger (which subjectively I think is an easier task). LD must be the priority.

I was open to Mika staying but I would hope the team would speak to him about my 2 concerns.

1. His defense at center this year did not look good at all.

2. His comments. Is this going to be a reoccurring theme?

 

[McRanger92]

I was open to Mika staying but I would hope the team would speak to him about my 2 concerns.

1. His defense at center this year did not look good at all.

2. His comments. Is this going to be a reoccurring theme?

I wonder if Mika’s input was considered on the Sullivan hire lol

 

[bhamill]

And also that he's completely f***ing brutal and doesn't commit to anybody, which people will put entirely on the players, absolving Drury of any criticism.

I seriously don’t get people having trouble with a GM being ruthless or brutal… If he’s going to improve the team, I don’t care if the GM is Machiavelli’s Prince inf***ingcarnate. I really do not give a f*** if the GM isn’t nice.
And not for nothing, it IS up to the players to make themselves worth keeping.
Am I just defective or something? Because I really don’t get the “Drury is bad because he’s mean” mindset. Hating him because you don’t like the moves he’s made? Sure, even if we differ on how well he’s done, I at least GET the rationale.

 

[eco's bones]

be objective, yeah it is
He's got a little girl, like what, 5-ish?
If he loves her very much, having Disneyland that close IS motivation.

You get more w/honey than vinegar
I read all kinds of shit here about he's gonna be forced to this, that.

Other than the stick of sitting him every fuggi game, there is no pressure to make him go

But an inducement to go to a comfy relocate coupled with that threat might work

have an open mind...
I expect such a poor reaction from @FoxysExpensiveNYDigs
I expect better from you

No I just find it unbelievable that anyone who is at all serious and rational would be making life changing decisions based on their proximity to a frigging theme park.

 

[Tob]

Vince's article, 7 questions for Mike Sullivan: can he win without crosby? how will he handle the youth? can he salvage zibanejad? how about unlocking the power play? is his system a good fit? And will players buy in? can he fix a broken culture?

Vince in person at the HC introduction presser: Did you miss the NYC traffic haha? Are you excited to be back with the Rangers, an exceptionally classy organization, this time as a head coach? You bring a lot of championship pedigree here, do you see a Cup in our near future?

 

[IDvsEGO]

I seriously don’t get people having trouble with a GM being ruthless or brutal… If he’s going to improve the team, I don’t care if the GM is Machiavelli’s Prince inf***ingcarnate. I really do not give a f*** if the GM isn’t nice.
And not for nothing, it IS up to the players to make themselves worth keeping.
Am I just defective or something? Because I really don’t get the “Drury is bad because he’s mean” mindset. Hating him because you don’t like the moves he’s made? Sure, even if we differ on how well he’s done, I at least GET the rationale.

I think there are lines to draw, but drury was no where near them.

I think something like doing a player dirty like what Philly did to Carter is wrong. As it violates the spirit of things, but Drury was no where outside the line. Telling a player "we're putting you on waivers or you can choose a trade spot" is not just valid, it lets the player have an actual choice in destination.

Waiving Goodrow, doesn't require notice, since it was the off season.

 

[Machinehead]

I seriously don’t get people having trouble with a GM being ruthless or brutal… If he’s going to improve the team, I don’t care if the GM is Machiavelli’s Prince inf***ingcarnate. I really do not give a f*** if the GM isn’t nice.
And not for nothing, it IS up to the players to make themselves worth keeping.
Am I just defective or something? Because I really don’t get the “Drury is bad because he’s mean” mindset. Hating him because you don’t like the moves he’s made? Sure, even if we differ on how well he’s done, I at least GET the rationale.

It's just that whenever this comes up, it's put entirely on the players and it's Dear Leader saving us from the team that he runs.

He's the president of the organization. He's accountable.

And yes, some valid criticisms came up in those situations.

People point to similar situations where the players got over it and stayed in line. Maybe those situations were handled better by the front office.

 

[CTRanger]

I seriously don’t get people having trouble with a GM being ruthless or brutal… If he’s going to improve the team, I don’t care if the GM is Machiavelli’s Prince inf***ingcarnate. I really do not give a f*** if the GM isn’t nice.
And not for nothing, it IS up to the players to make themselves worth keeping.
Am I just defective or something? Because I really don’t get the “Drury is bad because he’s mean” mindset. Hating him because you don’t like the moves he’s made? Sure, even if we differ on how well he’s done, I at least GET the rationale.

I’m not the biggest Drury fan, but I totally agree. Use all possibilities at your disposal. Contract structure is bargained between the league and the NHLPA and then again between player agents and teams. There are protections in place for all parties and both parties will almost always look to do what is best for them. Build a winner, feelings are secondary.

 

[NickyFotiu]

I think there are lines to draw, but drury was no where near them.

I think something like doing a player dirty like what Philly did to Carter is wrong. As it violates the spirit of things, but Drury was no where outside the line. Telling a player "we're putting you on waivers or you can choose a trade spot" is not just valid, it lets the player have an actual choice in destination.

Waiving Goodrow, doesn't require notice, since it was the off season.

Didn't Tampa do something similar (or tougher) with McD? They told him if he didn't waive his NTC he would be waived and picked up by CBJ. I guess McD understood the NHL is a business because he didn't seem to have a problem going back to Tampa.

 

[CTRanger]

I think there are lines to draw, but drury was no where near them.

I think something like doing a player dirty like what Philly did to Carter is wrong. As it violates the spirit of things, but Drury was no where outside the line. Telling a player "we're putting you on waivers or you can choose a trade spot" is not just valid, it lets the player have an actual choice in destination.

Waiving Goodrow, doesn't require notice, since it was the off season.

There is no “spirit of things”, it’s all in black and white contract lettering.

 

[smoneil]

I was open to Mika staying but I would hope the team would speak to him about my 2 concerns.

1. His defense at center this year did not look good at all.

2. His comments. Is this going to be a reoccurring theme?

My biggest concern with Mika isn't that he makes mistakes. It's that he keeps making the SAME mistakes. Last year, I don't remember the game, but Mika was on the ice during 3-3 OT. The ref missed a call, and Mika turned his back on the play to complain to the ref about it. The other team scored the game winner while Mika had his back to the play. I was livid. Had I been the coach, Mika would have sat a game. I've seen him do the same thing (take himself out of the play to whine to the ref) over and over again since then.

That tells me one of two things. Either the team never made it an issue/told him this crap had to stop, or they did, and Mika keeps doing it anyway. If the former, they need to clear out the front office. If the latter, it's an indication that Mika might not be capable of changing/learning from his mistakes at this point in his career.

 

[NickyFotiu]

My biggest concern with Mika isn't that he makes mistakes. It's that he keeps making the SAME mistakes. Last year, I don't remember the game, but Mika was on the ice during 3-3 OT. The ref missed a call, and Mika turned his back on the play to complain to the ref about it. The other team scored the game winner while Mika had his back to the play. I was livid. Had I been the coach, Mika would have sat a game. I've seen him do the same thing (take himself out of the play to whine to the ref) over and over again since then.

That tells me one of two things. Either the team never made it an issue/told him this crap had to stop, or they did, and Mika keeps doing it anyway. If the former, they need to clear out the front office. If the latter, it's an indication that Mika might not be capable of changing/learning from his mistakes at this point in his career.

That kind of thing drives me nuts at all levels of sports. I totally understand. Good point.

 

[LOFIN]

Didn't Tampa do something similar (or tougher) with McD? They told him if he didn't waive his NTC he would be waived and picked up by CBJ. I guess McD understood the NHL is a business because he didn't seem to have a problem going back to Tampa.

Yeah, the difference being that Tampa actually gave McD the heads-up and he could somewhat pick his destination. Where as Drury didn't tell Goodrow anything, and instead knew that he would be picked up by a team which Goodrow specifically had on his NTC.

Why are we still going over the same damn thing here? There is a reason, Drury's methods sparked a reaction from the players not just within the Rangers, but around the league. Now, this doesn't excuse the players for their poor play. They need to get over it, period. But it has been gone over multiple times that what Drury did with Goodrow, and to an extent with Trouba but especially with Goodrow, was pretty unorthodox and definitely not something that has happened in a similar manner around the league, even with GMs that have been "ruthless" in improving their team.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I seriously don’t get people having trouble with a GM being ruthless or brutal… If he’s going to improve the team, I don’t care if the GM is Machiavelli’s Prince inf***ingcarnate. I really do not give a f*** if the GM isn’t nice.
And not for nothing, it IS up to the players to make themselves worth keeping.
Am I just defective or something? Because I really don’t get the “Drury is bad because he’s mean” mindset. Hating him because you don’t like the moves he’s made? Sure, even if we differ on how well he’s done, I at least GET the rationale.

It blows my mind that some people are more mad that Drury is mean to improve our personnel and salary cap situation than the players for giving up.

 

[NickyFotiu]

Yeah, the difference being that Tampa actually gave McD the heads-up and he could somewhat pick his destination. Where as Drury didn't tell Goodrow anything, and instead knew that he would be picked up by a team which Goodrow specifically had on his NTC.

Why are we still going over the same damn thing here? There is a reason, Drury's methods sparked a reaction from the players not just within the Rangers, but around the league. Now, this doesn't excuse the players for their poor play. They need to get over it, period. But it has been gone over multiple times that what Drury did with Goodrow, and to an extent with Trouba but especially with Goodrow, was pretty unorthodox and definitely not something that has happened in a similar manner around the league, even with GMs that have been "ruthless" in improving their team.

Hockey is a great game but pro sports is a tough business. I'm not really seeing what Drury did wrong. We traded a 7th round pick for Goody and then signed Goody to a big contract. We paid him big money. We released him when we didn't feel his contributions were equal to the cap space he was taking up. Goody was upset he wasn't told in advance to arrange a trade? Most players don't get told in advance they are being waived. Also if a trade could have been made that wouldn't hurt our cap wouldn't Drury have made it? My memory is bad so Im probably forgetting something but what did Drury do to Goody that other GMs wouldn't have done?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Even if Drury is more cutthroat than ideal that still pales in comparison to quitting on the season. I also give absolutely zero f***s about a bunch of underperforming millionaires' feelings.

 

[LOFIN]

My memory is bad so Im probably forgetting something but what did Drury do to Goody that other GMs wouldn't have done?

He waived him knowing fully that he would be picked up by a team that Goodrow had on his NMC. And he didn't even inform him about being put on waivers, which is usually something that is communicated to veteran players.

Look, I'm not here out saying that Drury did anything wrong, or that I feel bad for the players involved. But what he did was literally unorthodox, and something that has not happened EVER before. If Elliotte Friedman said in his podcast that players and agents around the league were pissed off with how this was handled, that should tell you something. And like I said, I'm not here making a judgement myself, just conveying to you that what Drury did was not something that usually happens, and players were caught of guard.

In the end, this conversation doesn't really have a big effect on anything. We'll see how we can get free agents here. My guess, just like before. The players that are here, probably got the message from Dolan when he extended Drury: he's here to stay (at least for now). So better get used to working with him.

I'm going to quote Carmine SR from Sopranos (slightly modified). "It's settled Mika/Kreider! Either request a trade or get the f*** over it"

 

[LOFIN]

Even if Drury is more cutthroat than ideal that still pales in comparison to quitting on the season. I also give absolutely zero f***s about a bunch of underperforming millionaires' feelings.

Obviously. While I'm trying to explain why players would be pissed off by the way Drury handled things, that doesn't in ANY WAY give them an excuse to quit.

 

[McRanger92]

Mike Sullivan is going to love Adam Sykora

 

[NickyFotiu]

He waived him knowing fully that he would be picked up by a team that Goodrow had on his NMC. And he didn't even inform him about being put on waivers, which is usually something that is communicated to veteran players.

Look, I'm not here out saying that Drury did anything wrong, or that I feel bad for the players involved. But what he did was literally unorthodox, and something that has not happened EVER before. If Elliotte Friedman said in his podcast that players and agents around the league were pissed off with how this was handled, that should tell you something. And like I said, I'm not here making a judgement myself, just conveying to you that what Drury did was not something that usually happens, and players were caught of guard.

In the end, this conversation doesn't really have a big effect on anything. We'll see how we can get free agents here. My guess, just like before. The players that are here, probably got the message from Dolan when he extended Drury: he's here to stay (at least for now). So better get used to working with him.

I'm going to quote Carmine SR from Sopranos (slightly modified). "It's settled Mika/Kreider! Either request a trade or get the f*** over it"

Not trying to be argumentative but if you say vets are usually told when they are going to be waived. What are we talking about? A days notice? A few days notice? What would change in those days?

As far as who picked Goody up does the waiving team have any control over that?

Goody reportedly wanted to be told in advance so he could arrange a trade. 2 things come to mind.

1. His trade value was only a 7th round pick when we got him so did anyone think there was a trade market with his salary?

2. Isn't it probable Drury already looked for a trade and either there were no offers or the only offer hurt the Rangers cap situation?

 

[LOFIN]

Not trying to be argumentative but if you say vets are usually told when they are going to be waived. What are we talking about? A days notice? A few days notice? What would change in those days?

As far as who picked Goody up does the waiving team have any control over that?

Goody reportedly wanted to be told in advance so he could arrange a trade. 2 things come to mind.

1. His trade value was only a 7th round pick when we got him so did anyone think there was a trade market with his salary?

2. Isn't it probable Drury already looked for a trade and either there were no offers or the only offer hurt the Rangers cap situation?

What would change? A notice is always better than no notice, even if you can't actually do anything about the situation. It's called good manners. There's a reason why notice period exists in a lot of work places, at least here in Europe.

Your second point is highly likely, thus the waivers route. But Drury had to have some indication that San Jose was going to pick him up.

 

[NickyFotiu]

What would change? A notice is always better than no notice, even if you can't actually do anything about the situation. It's called good manners. There's a reason why notice period exists in a lot of work places, at least here in Europe.

Your second point is highly likely, thus the waivers route. But Drury had to have some indication that San Jose was going to pick him up.

I wish Drury used good manners and there were no hard feelings. I assume Drury knew Goody would be picked up by SJ. So what is Drurys option? Not waive Goody and not do what he thinks is best for the team? I like Goody and Im sorry he feels slighted but maybe he also holds some responsibility. He had 8 points in 77 games. I can't imagine other teams were looking to pay him that kind of money.

 

[80shockeywasbuns]

It's just that whenever this comes up, it's put entirely on the players and it's Dear Leader saving us from the team that he runs.

He's the president of the organization. He's accountable.

And yes, some valid criticisms came up in those situations.

People point to similar situations where the players got over it and stayed in line. Maybe those situations were handled better by the front office.

People have the most narrow perception possible of Drurys job and what the expectations should be. They act like he’s supposed to just sit around and eat chips off his chest until the teams best players fall off a cliff, then yell at them and unceremoniously force them out. Being proactive about things before shit hits the fan? Impossible

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

What would change? A notice is always better than no notice, even if you can't actually do anything about the situation. It's called good manners. There's a reason why notice period exists in a lot of work places, at least here in Europe.

Your second point is highly likely, thus the waivers route. But Drury had to have some indication that San Jose was going to pick him up.

I can't believe we are still talking aboout this...but even if the bolded is true, so what? What if the Sharks, Blues, and Tampa all put in a claim and he went to San Jose due to priority...would that still have been unorthodox or whatever it is being called?

If Goodrow's play had warranted even the slightest positive trade value, he wouldn't have been put in this situation. It was a perfect storm of factors.

And it "raised eyebrows" in the Canadian media because it was the Rangers. Just like everything else. Rangers win 2 draft lotteries? Better change the rules! Rangers try to ice an "enforcer"? Better not let this guy breathe!